Campo Marzio

A plaque bearing the old name Campo Marzo, which was used up until 19th century: the plaque is still located above a side entrance of Porta del Popolo

Until the domination of Napoleon, in 19th century, the rione was also known by the name Campo Marzo.

In the Middle Ages, after the main aqueducts of the city were ruined during the Gothic sieges in 6th century and following to the establishing of St. Peter's Basilica as a focal point for pilgrims, Campo Marzio became one of the most densely populated zones of Rome. The borough was crossed by the procession that used to accompany newly elected Popes from St. Peter's Basilica to their official residence, St. John in Lateran. Moreover, the area was also passed through by the Via Lata, one of the main arteries linking Rome to the rest of Europe, resulting from the merger of Via Cassia and Via Flaminia.

The urban pattern was quite dense, and included several monuments and a number of remains of ancient buildings. Campo Marzio experienced manifold urban renewal interventions during the Renaissance, with the construction of several churches and noble palaces. Pope Paul II redeveloped the Via Lata (the current Via del Corso), Pope Julius II promoted the construction of two straight roads on each shore of the Tiber, Via Giulia on the left shore and Via della Lungara on the right one, between Trastevere and the Vatican. Pope Leo X ordered the creation of a new road connecting Ponte Sant'Angelo to Porta del Popolo, the Via Leonina (Via di Ripetta). In 1570, Pope Pius V promoted the restoration of the Acquedotto Vergine, leading to the creation of new fountains in the area.

New works were undertaken when Rome became the new Italian capital, in 1870, first of all massive walls were built alongside the Tiber, to avoid floods, which were flanked by Lungotevere in Augusta and Lungotevere Marzio. The rione was linked to the near Prati through the construction of Ponte Regina Margherita in 1891, while in 1902 a new bridge (Ponte Cavour) was built downstream, in line with Piazza Cavour, demolishing the Porto di Ripetta.

In 1909, depending on the urban development of Prati, a large demolition project was planned in Campo Marzio, envisaging a new artery climbing down the Pincio and reaching Ponte Cavour. The plan was then modified, and in 1926 a massive refurbishment started in the area near the Mausoleum of Augustus, demolishing about 120 houses and creating a big empty space around it.